Russia to supply arms and military equipment to Kyrgyzstan armed forces TASS 12412152

Defence & Security News - Kyrgyzstan
 
Russia to supply arms and military equipment to Kyrgyzstan armed forces.
Russia is doing its best to rearm the armed forces of Kyrgyzstan so that they could counter the threats from Afghanistan, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said at the meeting with Zhanybek Kaparov, the head of the Kyrgyz General Staff.
     
Russia is doing its best to rearm the armed forces of Kyrgyzstan so that they could counter the threats from Afghanistan, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said at the meeting with Zhanybek Kaparov, the head of the Kyrgyz General Staff. Kyrgyz army Russian-made BMP-2 IFV a military parade as part of the ceremonies marking the 20th anniversary of Kyrgyzstan's independence in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Aug. 31, 2011
     
"On our part we’re doing whatever we can to fulfill the plan to re-equip the Kyrgyz armed forces for enabling them to counter the threats they face," the Minister said.

He emphasized that Moscow "is doing everything related to the supply of arms and military hardware, strengthening of the Russian bases and air group and the training of Kyrgyz armed forces specialists at Russia’s military education institutions."

"I hope all this will contribute to countering the threats that exist today," Shoigu said.

The Minister expressed confidence that Kyrgyzstan, like the Russian MoD, registers the appearance in Afghanistan "of a considerable number" of Islamic State /banned in Russia/ terrorist groups. "Their tasks are clear and obvious - getting control of various activities that bring mainly criminal profit for their actions," the Russian Defense Minister said.

The head of the Kyrgyz Armed Forces General Staff mentioned that cooperation with the Russian Defense Ministry has always been "a priority effort" for the Kyrgyz military." "The head of state pays mush attention to this issue. Therefore I hope that the cooperation will go on steadily," he said.

According to the International Peace Research Institute /SIPRI/, in 2003 through 2005 Russia has supplied Kyrgyzstan with three M-8/17 type of helicopters, including two upgraded Mi-17s.

The Kyrgyzstan armed forces are mainly equipped with Soviet-made military equipment and combat vehicles as T-72 MBT (Main Battle Tank) and BMP-1 / BMP-2 armoured infantry fighting vehicle.
     
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